Lasting-machine.



No. 663,33l. Patented Dec. 4, I900. H. H. DONOVAN.

LASTPNG MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 29, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

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No. 663,33I. Patented Dec. 4, I900.

- H. H. DONOVAN.

LASTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 29, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets8heet 2 .j ifiummumw m: u (in Q flunk. E

Wises 56.5:

No. 663,33l. Patented Dec. 4, I900. H. H. DONOVAN. LASTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 29, 1899.) (No Model.)

4 Sheets8heet 3, I

No. 663,331. Patented Dec. 4, I900.

H. H. DONOVAN. LASTINQMAOHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 29, 1899.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Shaet 4..

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LASTlNG-MACHINE.

$PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 663,331, dated December 4, 1900.

Application filed December 29,1899. serial No.741,957. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE H. DoNovAN, of Abington, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lasting-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the in vention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention contemplates certain new and useful improvements in lastingmachines.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine by which the lasting operation may be easily accomplished in less time than heretofore required.

The improvements comprise a sliding gripping device for engaging the toe of the vamp or upper and holding it on a straight line without twisting, rendering it unnecessary to remove the shoe to ascertain if the tip is straight. It also embraces means for engaging the vamp at the shank of the shoe for throwing it over on the last, such means holding the vamp while the same is being tacked to the last.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1. is an end elevation. Fig. 2 is a side view. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the upper portion of the machine, showing a last in position. Fig. 4 is a top plan view. Fig. 6 shows the clamping devices for heavy work. Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal sectional View through one of the clamping devices. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional View thereof. Fig. 9 is a view of the arm 6.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the base, having an inclined top whereon the base-plate a of the jack is held by a nutted bolt a. Upon this base-plate is journaled an arm 1, having a forwardly-projecting branch 2, on the end of which is a curved plate 3, forming the toe-rest. The arm 1, and consequently the toe-rest, is held under the tension of a coil-spring l, substantially after the manner shown and described in Letters Patent No. 636,644, issued to me November 7, 1899.

in a guideway 10 on block 5.

On the upper end of the arm 1 is located a block 5, which at its forward end is con nected by rings 6 to a cross-rod 7, extended laterally from the branch 2. Through a hole in the upper end of arm 1 extends a screw 8, which works in a threaded hole of a plate 9, projecting from the arm. The upper end of this screw engages the block, so that the'position of the latter may be adjusted.

B is a gripping device for engaging and holding the toe end of the vamp, permitting the latter to draw back in proper position when the last is inserted and placed on the jack. This device is movable back and forth It comprises an upper jaw 12, having a handle 13, and pivoted atl l to a lower jaw 15, which is slidable on a rod 16 as against the tension of a coilspring 17. This rod at its forward threaded end engages a block 18, which acts as a stop to limit the movement of the jaws when pull is exerted in opposition to the spring 17. lhis spring at one end is connected to jaw 15 and at its other end to a plate 19, through the center of which the rod 16 is passed. The plate-spring 20, mounted on jaw 15 and bearing against handle 13, tends to hold the upper jaw closed against the lower jaw, so that a tooth 21 of the upper jaw will project through an opening in the lower jaw for engaging and holding the toe end of the vamp. To insert the latter,its center is placed between the jaws,

when the upper jaw is turned on its pivot. The heel of the last is then inserted in the heel side of the vamp and is pushed .back until it reaches the heel-spindle 22, projecting upwardly from base-plate a, when a push on the swinging arm will. allow the last to drop into place on thejack. This movement carries the sliding fastener forward, while the spring 17 retains the arm at the proper tension. With hand-pincers a workman pulls the vamp tight on the last just back of the tip and fastens it on both sides with tacks. It is then tacked at the back to the heel.

O O designate two upright rods paralleling the sides of base A. Around these rods are heavy coil-springs d, which support boxes (1, the upward movements of the latter being limited by collars d movably secured on the rods. Each of the boxes is formed with a rounded portion and an angular extension (Z such rounded portions being axially mounted on the rods 0, so that the boxes may be swung laterally toward and away from the last. Upon each of these boxes is mounted suitable means forengaging the vamp at the shank of the last, and by reason of the boxes having a lateral swinging movement the engaging means mounted thereon force the vamp inward and toward the toe along the sides of the last, starting near the breast of the heel.

For light work, such as kid and kangaroo, I employ two pairs of pincers E. Each pair is pivotally mounted between arms 6, which project from a roller or rounded portion 6, itself journaled between ears 6 of a plate 8 These plates 6 are on top of the angular extensions d and are held to the boxes by links a, which allow the plates and pincers to be swung around on the boxes by hand; but when downward pressure is applied to the pincers the plates a are held as against moving by frictional engagement with the boxes. The pivot-pins a, forming the fulcra for the pincers, are inserted through holes 6 in flanges projecting from the bottom members of the pincers.

F F designate chains by which the boxes and pincers are swung into and held in position. These chains at their upper ends engage the upper handles of the pincers, and after being passed through eyes in the lower outer sides of the boxes are carried downward on straight lines and after being crossed beneath the support of the base A and out through the sides of such support are both connected to a foot-treadle G. After the last has been properly positioned pressing of the foot on the treadle will swing each box laterally about the axis of the rod 0 on which it is mounted, so that the pincers may engage the vamp at the shank of the last. At this time the supporting-arms e are nearly perpendicular to the tops of the boxes. In making the pincers engage the vamp the springs 01 are depressed, and as they are moved forward to throw over the vamp the outer ends of the arms e, carrying the pincers, are lowered. As this occurs, the the tension on the springs d being relaxed, the boxes are raised to a limited extent. In this way the vamp is forced inward and toward the toe along the sides of the last. The operator then again presses on the treadle, and the chains hold the pincers in position, so that he may have the use of both hands in driving the tacks. It is by passing the chains to opposite sides beneath the support of the base that any pressure on the treadle causes the boxes to swing laterally inward, so that the engaging means thereon will force the vamp toward the toe of the last, and the chains being connected to the upper handles of the pincers pressure on the treadle keeps the pincers firmly closed in engagement with the upper.

In connection with heavy shoes, such as those made of calf, Idispense with the pincers and employ clamping devices which, when the boxes are lowered as against the ten sion of their supportingsprings, will bind against the leather at the shank and force it over the last. When the machine is to be thus used in the manufacture of heavy shoes, the boxes d are preferably removed and another set of boxes substituted, or, if desired, provision may be made for utilizing one set of boxes in both instances by equipping them with suitable means for carrying either the pincers or clamping devices. The boxes f, as shown in Fig. 6, have guidewaysf on their squared portions, wherein is movable a clam ping device f This consists of a case or guard having located therein and projecting beyond one end thereof a pivoted fingerf which is always under the tension of a platespringf This spring holds the protruding end of the finger normally beyond the curved edges f of the guard. One of these edges is longer than the other, so that one will not 1 strike the last as the boxesfare being swung in and in order that the vamp will be pushed toward the ball of the shoe as the boxes are swung in place. The guard is capable of be- Q ing moved back and forth in guideways f by the turning of a sleeve g, working on a screw g, extended from the guard, the sleeve fitting in the recessed end g of a plate 9 secured to box f and held therein by a removable cross-strip g-.

In practice the squared ends of boxes f are toward the operator standing at the back of the machine. The clamping devices f are adjusted to the proper positions on the boxes in relation to the shank by sleeves g, being moved forward for long shanks and back for short shanks. The boxes are steadied by hand, and then the operator presses on the treadle, drawing down the boxes until the fingers f touch the upper lightly just at the seam. The hold on the boxes is then released and at the same time the operator kicks on the treadle, causing the boxes to swing inward, (the chains being crossed beneath the support,) forcing the fingers against the upper in a slanting movement toward the ball. The springs 61 are then moving the boxes upward, as the kick is only strong enough to swing them laterally, and the fingers are being gradually forced in their case or guard as against the tension of their springs. When they come over the edge of the inner sole near the ball of the shoe, the operator gives a hard downward pressure on the treadle, forcing the fingers fully in the case or guard and bringing the edge of the latter down on the inner sole,-holding firmly the upper. This last pressure on the treadle prevents the rising of the springs d. The parts continue in this position until the work is completed, when pressure on the treadle is released.

The advantages of my present improveinents are apparent. It will be observed that by means of the gripping device for engaging the toe of the Vamp the latter will be pulled on a perfectly straight line without twisting, thus avoiding the necessity of removing the shoe to ascertain if the tip is straight, and that by means of the yieldinglysupported axially-mounted boxes and the clamping mediums carried thereby the vamp is pushed over on the last at the shank and firmly held until pressure upon the foottreadle is relieved. By mounting the boxes on the rods and supporting them by the springs the clamping mechanism, whetherit be the pincers or the guards and their fingers, effects the firm holding of the vamp at the shank.

I claim as my invention-- 1. In alasting-machine, the combination of the following instrumentalit-ies: a toe-rest, a pivoted support therefor, a gripping device, for engaging the toe of the vamp, mounted on said support, a guideway for such device, also mounted on said support, and means for adjusting the position of the gripping device on its support independent of its movements in the guideway, as set forth.

2. In a lasting-machine, the combination of the following instrumentalities: a toe-rest, a pivoted support therefor, a gripping device, for engaging the toe of the vamp, mounted on said support, a guideway for such device, also mounted on said support, a spring exerting a pull on said device in line with the toe of a last, and means for adjusting the position of the gripping device independent of its movements in the guideway, as set forth.

In a lasting-machine, the combination of the following instrumentalities: a toe-rest, a pivoted support therefor, a gripping device, for engaging the toe of the vamp, mounted on said support, a guideway for said device, also mounted on said support, a stop to limit the movement of the device in one direction, a spring adapted to exert a pull on said device longitudinally of its movement, and means for adjusting the position of the gripping device independent of its movements in the guideway, substantially as set forth.

4. A lasting-machine having a pivoted arm, a toe-rest carried by said arm, a box pivotally mounted on said arm, and a gripping device mounted on said box for engaging the toe of the vamp and movable on a straight line therewith, as set forth.

5. A lasting-machine having a pivoted arm provided with a toe-rest, a box adjustably mounted on said arm, a gripping device on said box movable on a straight line with the toe, said device being composed of a springheld sliding jaw, a pivoted jaw, and a spring acting on the latter, substantially as set forth.

6. In a lasting-machine, means disposed on opposite sides of a last for engagingthe vamp at the shank of a shoe, and adapted to be swung toward such shank and in the direction of the toe, yielding supports for such means, and means for simultaneously depressing said supports and moving the engaging means downward and forward, as set forth.

7. In a lasting-machine, means disposed on opposite sides of a last for engaging the vamp at the shank of a shoe, laterallymovable yieldingly-held supports for moving said engaging means toward the toe of the last, and means for holding said supports after engagement is had with the vamp.

S. in a lasting-machine, means for engaging the vamp at the shank of a shoe, yieldingly-supported axially-mounted boxes carrying such means, said boxes being adapted to move laterally toward and away from the last, and means for simultaneously depressing said boxes and throwing said engaging means inwardly and forwardly, substantially as set forth.

9. In a lasting-machine, yieldingly-supported axially-mounted boxes adapted to be swung laterally toward and away from the last, means mounted on such boxes for engaging the vamp at the shank of a shoe, and means for simultaneously holding the boxes depressed and throwing the engaging means inwardly and toward the toe of the last, substantially as set forth.

10. A lasting machine having axiallymounted boxes adapted to be swung laterally toward and away from the last, springs supporting said boxes, means carried by the latter for engaging and binding the vamp of a shoe at the shank, a treadle, connections between it and the boxes for depressing the latter and moving the engaging means inwardly and forwardly, and means whereby the engaging means has a limited movement toward the last independent of the boxes, substantially as set forth.

11. A lasting-machine having upright rods, springs on said rods, boxes supported by said springs adapted to be moved laterally, mechanism on said boxes movable toward, and designed to engage with the shank of a shoe, a treadle, or the like, and chains connected thereto for holding said boxes depressed as against the tension of their springs, substantially as set forth.

12. In a lasting-machine, oppositely-disposed pincers for engaging the vamp at the shank of a shoe, adapted to be moved horizontally toward such shank, yielding supports for said pincers, and means for simultaneously depressing said supports and holding the pincers after they engage the vamp.

13. In a lasting-machine, yieldingly-supported boxes adapted to be moved laterally, pincers mounted on such boxes for engaging the vamp at the shank of a shoe, and means for holding the pincers after they engage the Vamp.

14. A lasting-machine having upright rods, springs thereon, boxes on said rods adapted to be moved laterally, and supported by said springs, pincers pivotally mounted on the boxes for engaging the vamp at the shank of a shoe, and means for depressing and holding the boxes, substantially as set forth.

15. A lasting-machine having yieldinglysupported laterally-movable boxes, pincers for engaging the vamp at the shank of a shoe, supports for the pincers pivoted on the boxes, and means for depressing and holding the boxes, substantially as set forth.

16. A lasting-machine having yieldinglysupported laterally-movable boxes, pincers for engaging the vamp at the shank of a shoe, and supports for the pincers pivoted to the boxes at one end and to which the pincers are pivoted, and means for holding the boxes and pincers depressed, as set forth.

17. The combination with the upright rods HORACE H. DONOVAN.

W'itnesses:

ELIZABETH R. PORTER, GEORGE A. FLYNN. 

